Eleanor Poling: Maximizing Use of the Target Language in Language Classrooms

Maximizing Use of the Target Language in Language Classrooms

It is of great concern to language teachers that students require more exposure to the Target Language (TL) during a class in order to reach a higher level of proficiency. Based on literature and my experience, we teachers must provide students with rich and multiple opportunities to use the TL which will result in overall improvements in students' oral and written skills. Further we can ensure that our students move past memorization of material in order to complete tasks to a more rich understanding of the TL. Maximizing use of the TL is a two-fold goal which should involve active participation of student and teacher.

This course will be for (Languages Other Than English) LOTE teachers seeking methods and strategies for maximizing use of the TL in the LOTE classroom. The student will become more knowledgeable about increasing use of the TL themselves and for their students. Learners should be able to incorporate what they have learned in this course and apply it to their classrooms where they work. Learners will become informed on how to maximize use of the TL in the LOTE classroom and how to foster students' continued use and learning of the TL outside of the classroom.

Unit Four: Are effective strategies being implemented to maximize use of the Target Language in language classrooms?

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